Learning the physics behind our solar system

QUT ambassadors teach students about Kepler's laws of planetary motion before developing their robotic solar system.

Sphero technology

Using a tablet, students control different aspects of the spherical robots, such as speed, tilt and colour.

Modelling a solar system

Students use their coding and physics learning to model a solar system with Spheros.

Workshop overview

Year level 7-10
Capacity 16-32 students. If you want to bring more students, email highschool.workshops@qut.edu.au
When School days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Duration Half day
Where QUT Gardens Point, Science and Engineering Centre
Cost Free (late cancellation fees apply. See terms and conditions).

Workshop details

Students work together to create an orbiting robotic solar system using Sphero robots in this exciting introduction to coding.

Students will learn about solar systems, investigate the relationships between planet mass, orbit, orbital speed, and distance from the sun. They will learn the basic principles of programming using Sphero's drag and drop interface, calculate orbital circumferences and then design and model a robotic solar system that reflects Kepler's three laws of satellite motion.

Topics covered in this workshop:

  • robotics
  • mathematics
  • technology
  • astrophysics.

Book this workshop

We’re now fully booked in terms 1 and 2, 2025. Bookings for workshops in terms 3 and 4 will be opening in term 2.

Curriculum links

Years 7-8

Technology - Digital Technologies

  • Implement and modify programs with user interfaces involving branching, iteration and functions in a general-purpose programming language (ACTDIP030)

Science

  • Predictable phenomena on Earth, including seasons and eclipses, are caused by the relative positions of the sun, Earth and the moon (ACSSU115)
  • Construct and use a range of representations, including graphs, keys and models to represent and analyse patterns or relationships in data using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS129), (ACSIS144)

Mathematics

  • Investigate the relationship between features of circles such as circumference, area, radius and diameter. Use formulas to solve problems involving circumference and area (ACMMG197)

Years 9-10

Science

  • The universe contains features including galaxies, stars and solar systems, and the Big Bang theory can be used to explain the origin of the universe (ACSSU188)
  • The motion of objects can be described and predicted using the laws of physics (ACSSU229)
  • People use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they accept claims, explanations or predictions, and advances in science can affect people's lives, including generating new career opportunities (ACSHE194)
  • Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between variables and identifying inconsistencies (ACSIS169), (ACSIS203)

Technology

  • Plan and manage projects using an iterative and collaborative approach, identifying risks and considering safety and sustainability (ACTDIP044)

Mathematics

  • Explore the connection between algebraic and graphical representations of relations such as simple quadratics, circles and exponentials using digital technology as appropriate (ACMNA239)

Contact us

If you have any questions, comments or feedback about the QUT High School Student Connections program, we'd love to hear from you.

3138 1801